Heat flustered the pleasant vibes that filled the air as the two cousin’s stood ready to attack.

“I’ve been practicing voodoo for years.” Nelson said. You don’t stand a chance.”

“Try me, Jerk.”

“Both of you, stop” Onika yelled.

“Swahli: Forge a shell of pure energy” Nelson chanted.

A massive dome conjured within the flames, trapping Sam and Nelson inside.

“There, the priestess can’t save you now.” Nelson smirked.

“Bring it on” Sam replied.

“Swahli: I summon a cascade of skulls.”

Several black spots farmed in the air as green flaming skills rocketed toward Sam. Sam clapped his hands together and began his own chant:

“Swahli: Generating spiraling blades of iron.”

A gust of silver wind formed around Sam as multiple blades generated out of thin air, slashing against the skulls as they connected.

“You’re not the only one who’s been studying voodoo in secret.”

“Let’s see what you got.” Nelson said as he folded his hands against each other.

Out of his palms came a silver and brown wooden staff laced with green glowing scripture on it.

Nelson spun the staff rapidly as he charged at his cousin.

Fury pumped through his body as Nelson swing his weapon at Sam whom narrowly dodge every strike.

Sam grabbed the staff and kicked Nelson in his chest, knocking him to the ground.

Nelson rolled backwards before standing to his feet.

Sam rushed toward his cousin, ready to strike before Nelson charted his next spell.

“ Badilika kuwa kifaru cha kutisha, ”

The staff leaped from Sam’s hands and shifted into a brown and silver rhino.

“Holy crap”

The rhino rushed toward Sam with no sigh of stopping.

“ Roho za voodoo, hutupa kiumbe hiki kwenye vumbi, "

Sam throw his palms facing the rhino and purple spell board circles hovered from each on.

When the furious beast made contact with his body, it dispersed into brown dust and clouded Sam’s sight.

Nelson used the opportunity to jump in the air at land a kick on his cousin. But Sam lifted his arms to shield the attack.

Sam grabbed Nelson’s leg and pinned him down.

“Give up?” Sam asked.

“Like you gotta ask.”

Nelson freed himself from Sam’s grip and gained a few feet from him.

“Boys” Onika said shaking her head.

The two cousins ran toward each other to finish their tussle when suddenly, the sky around them began to get darker.

“Oh boy” Onika uttered.

Before Sam and Nelson could finish their fight, a bolt of lightning shot down the force field and knocked the two cousins on their backs.

Both of them lifted their heads of the ground to see a dark skinned large, older man in a white cloak and white dread locks appear before than holding a long staff with a diamond shaped crystal on top.

“Is this any way to welcome your cousin, Nelson?” the elder man said.

“No Sir.” The voodoo king. But more importantly, your grandfather.”

The budding voodooist took to his feet as the astonishment of this stranger’s relationship to him sunk in.

“Grandpa,” Nelson uttered we were just…”

“Save your lies, Boy.” Benjermin said. “I’ll deal with you later.”

“You’re my dad’s old man?”

“That’s correct.” I doubt that your father spoke highly of me.”

“Just that you left him and grandma Mell when he was ten.”

Benjermin slumped over and kneeled toward Sam.

“I was a different man when I walked out on your father. A coward, A bustard. “A voodooist.” Sam added.

 " That’s why you left. My dad was born without the connection to the vodon.”

“Is that what Christopher told you?”

Sam nodded.

“There’s more to the story but that played a crucial part.” Benjermin explained as he helped Sam stand up. “Emily and I were growing apart. She was not a voodooist and was unable to birth children after your father was born.

Eventually, I met nelson’s grandmother, Alicia. She was a voodooist and unlike your grandma, was open to explore the vodon.”

“So your justifying leaving my dad and my grandma?” Sam asked.

“Watch it, Spi boy.” Nelson tightened his fist.

“That’s enough, Nelson.” Benjermin shouted before returning his attention back to Sam.

“I tried to mend things with your father. But the damage was already done. He wanted nothing to do with me or the vodon.”

“That’s not true.” Sam added. The other night, my dad visited me in my dreams to tell me to embrace the vodon.”

“That’s why you came to see your mother?” Onika asked.

“What?” Benjermin’s eyes shot open. You saw you mother in the condition she’s in?”  

“It was the only way I could find this.”

Sam pulled out the gold pocket watch and dangled it infront of his grandfather.

Benjermin used his staff and swung at the watch, smashing it quickly.

“Whatcha do that for?”

“LaToya, you may have just doomed us all.”

Back in New Orleans Stevie and House Park outside the town hall.

“Thought you wanted to stay clear of your old man.” House said. “I wanted to but for some reason, I’m compelled to Shirley’s idea. I gotta see it through.”

“Likewise. That woman always makes me say “Yes to everything.”

The two continued to converse as Stevie bumped into a young, Italian man in a police officer uniform.

“Sorry, officer.” Stevie suffered.

“It’s cool, Man.” The officer said. “It’s my fault.”

“Fancy seeing you here, Officer…” House hesitated.

“Wayne, Terrance Wayne.”

“You’re the rookie that used the police sirens to cut folks at the donut shop last week. Sheriff McKnight was pissed.”

“I missed breakfast that day.” Officer Wayne joked.

Besides, I’ve been paying the price with extra paper work all week.”

“Speaking of which,” officer stone walked up to him carrying a stack of papers.” You’re still on the cloak.”

Officer Stone gave him the heavy load of paper.

“All that for a few donuts?” Stevie said.

“It was during a sting operation.” Officer Wayne said “Half the police force were out and all units had to show up a sap.”

“Your luck we were able to stop the raid before it got out of hand.” Officer Stone said.” I suggest you get to work.”

“Yes, Mam.”

Officer Wayne left the room as officer stone turned her attention to house and Stevie.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t found the cause of the incident, Sir.”

“Why isn’t the Sherieff telling me this?” House asked.

“Sherieff McKnight is following a lead outside the city and brought his nephew for the rock.”

“Sam’s with him?” Stevie asked. “Why?”

“I’m not sure. But I think it has something to do with his mother.”

House felt a deep whole in his stomach.

“LaToya?” House asked.” The boy should stay far away from her.”

“I’m sure the Sherieff has it uncontrolled.” Office stone said.” It you excuse me, I should be going.”

The officer left city hall as house hunched over.

“Boss, what’s wrong?” Stevie asked.

“That boy’s mother isn’t well.” House answered.” If he’s with her….”

“Mr. Brickly.” The mayor walked in. “My assistant told me you wanted to speak.”

“Not him, Me.” Stevie reluctantly called out to him.

“Steven. This is unexpected.”

“Yeah can we talk privately?”

“Of course, Son.”

Stevie and his father walked into his office, carrying the tray of desserts with him as House followed.

As house closed the door, an mysterious figure with bees floating around it stood watching as the office workers remained unawake of its presence.

“Excellent” the shadowy figure smirked.